The consummate leader cultivates the moral law, and strictly adheres to method and discipline; thus it is in his power to control success.

One who has few must prepare against the enemy; one who has many makes the enemy prepare against him.

When the soldiers stand leaning on their spears, they are faint from want of food.

In the midst of difficulties we are always ready to seize an advantage, we may extricate ourselves from misfortune.

All battles are won before they start.

When the leader is morally weak and his discipline not strict, when his instructions and guidance are not enlightened, when there are no consistent rules, neighboring rulers will take advantage of this.

Spies cannot be usefully employed without a certain intuitive sagacity; They cannot be properly managed without benevolence and straightforwardness; Without subtle ingenuity of mind, one cannot make certain of the truth of their reports; Be subtle! be subtle! and use your spies for every kind of warfare; If a secret piece of news is divulged by a spy before the time is ripe, he must be put to death together with the man to whom the secret was told.